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January 6, 2026
See TodayEpiphany
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Isaiah 60:1–6 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 72:1–11 (12–15) (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Epistle
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Eph. 3:1–12 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Gospel
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Matt. 2:1–12 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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Epiphany
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Lord God Is Manifested in the Incarnate Son
The Feast of the Epiphany centers in the visit of the Magi from the East. In that respect, it is a “Thirteenth Day” of Christmas, and yet it also marks the beginning of a new liturgical season. Where Christmas has focused on the incarnation of our Lord, that is, on God becoming flesh, the Season of Epiphany emphasizes the manifestation or self-revelation of God in that same flesh of Christ. For the Lord Himself has entered our darkness and rises upon us with the brightness of His true light (Is. 60:1–2). He does so chiefly by His Word of the Gospel, which He causes to be preached within His Church on earth, not only to the Jews but also to Gentiles (Eph. 3:8–10). As the Magi were guided by the promises of Holy Scripture to find and worship the Christ Child with His mother in the house (Matt. 2:5–11), so does He call disciples from all nations by the preaching of His Word to find and worship Him within His Church (Is. 60:3–6).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series A (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
Source: LCMS Three-Year Series (A) Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for January 6, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O God, You have made Yourself known to all nations in the person of Your Son. Grant us a right knowledge of Him, that we would abandon the darkness of this world and embrace the joy of His heavenly light. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, You have appointed pastors to make known the mystery of Your grace. Grant them [and especially _____________] the boldness of St. Paul to speak what You have revealed to them in Your Word, that we would worthily partake of all Your gifts. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son as the Savior of the world, that all the families of the nations might worship before You. Bless the families of this congregation with Your grace and protection, that they might remember You in both joy and trouble and worship before You forevermore. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Enlighten, O Lord, the rulers of this world by the proclamation of Your wisdom, which casts down the proud and raises up the lowly. Work peace and justice in our land, and give free course to Your blessed Gospel. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You have made us fellow heirs of the unsearchable riches of Christ. Remember all those who are afflicted and in need of deliverance [including _____________]. Hear their prayers, provide help and deliverance according to Your will, and preserve them in the faith until that day when their eternal healing is fully revealed. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, You brought the Magi of old to worship Your Son, Jesus, and so You have brought us to worship Him also. Receive our gifts and give us Jesus in His body and blood, that we may return home according to Your holy way. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, as Your Son was once found in the arms of the Virgin Mary, so now is He found in Your Holy Christian Church. Cause Your Word to abide richly among us, that many would be led to Christ through our witness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
All these needs, gracious Father, and whatever else You know that we need, grant for the sake of Him who shattered this world’s darkness with everlasting light, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for January 6, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For a right knowledge of Christ, that we would abandon the darkness of this world and embrace the joy of His heavenly light, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all pastors, [especially _____________,] that they would fulfill their calling with boldness and provide us the riches of Christ’s Word and Sacrament, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For families, that our Father in heaven would bless our households with grace and protection; and that we might remember Him in both joy and trouble and worship before Him forever, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the wisdom of God to enlighten the rulers of this world; and for His blessed Gospel to have free course in our land, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who are afflicted and in need of deliverance, [including _____________,] that their prayers would be heard by the almighty God who has made us fellow heirs of the unsearchable riches of Christ; and that they would be preserved in the faith until that day when their eternal healing is fully revealed, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who, like the Magi of old, have come to worship Christ and offer Him gifts, that receiving His body and blood, we may return home according to His holy way, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Holy Christian Church, that God’s Word would richly abide in her and that many would be led to Christ through her witness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
All these needs, gracious Father, and whatever else You know that we need, grant for the sake of Him who shattered this world’s darkness with everlasting light, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 395 O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for The Epiphany of Our Lord (One-Year) and Epiphany (Series A, B and C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 167 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 396 Arise and Shine in Splendor
- Distribution LSB 397 As with Gladness Men of Old
- Distribution LSB 399 The Star Proclaims the King Is Here
- Closing LSB 394 Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series A 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.